Friends of Fame

S8E2: Relapsed

FLASHBACK, 5 MONTHS AGO
[Nancy and Nathan's house]
*It had been a month since Joey died. A month since the funeral. A month since the entire friend group stopped talking. Jo was mad at Nathan still, for not only accusing her of ruining their career, but for telling Nancy she slept with Joey (S7E15). Nancy was mad at Nathan for keeping that secret for months, and she was even more mad at Jo for doing it in the first place. Hallie moved back home with her parents in Connecticut after everything that happened with Damon, and the drama it caused between her and Steven. Nathan walked downstairs and saw Nancy in the kitchen, cleaning. He had a coffee cup in his hand from that morning.*

Nathan: Natalie's napping.

*She didn't respond. It was silent for some time.*

Nathan: Nance? Nance, will you please stop ignoring me?

Nancy: I'm not ignoring you.

Nathan: Well you're not talking to me.

Nancy: Look. Nathan. It's just... going to take some time, okay?

Nathan: I know what you're going through with Joey is hard right now, but it's important not to shut me out.

Nancy: This has nothing to do with Joey's...

*She wanted to say 'death', but she couldn't bring herself to do it.*

Nancy: It's that you kept a secret from me for so long about him and Jo.

Nathan: I'm so sorry, how many more times can I apologize for that?

Nancy: And you didn't even tell me because you wanted to. You told me at his funeral just so you could get revenge on Jo for something she didn't even do. I mean... who are you anymore?

*He looked down. He was so ashamed, and had nothing to say.*

Nancy: Are you done with that?

*Before he could answer, she swiped the coffee mug from his hand and went to the sink to clean it. But before she dumped it out, she got the weirdest hunch not to. She brought the mug to her face and smelt it. Vodka. Pure vodka. She stood there for a moment, debating whether she should let her emotions take over.*

Nathan: Nancy-

*She turned around to look at him, and then she slammed the mug on the floor and it shattered everywhere.*

Nancy: I can't do this anymore.

Nathan: What?

Nancy: You need to go.

Nathan: Look, I messed up! I'm sorry, okay?!

Nancy: No, no Nathan this is not my fight anymore!

*They began to argue over each other, and he came closer to her. She knew it was the alcohol speaking, not her husband. Not the man she's loved for years and devoted her life to. She could smell the vodka on his breath. This wasn't her Nathan. She pushed him away.*

Nancy: Look at yourself!

Nathan: Nancy...

Nancy: Get out of my house! Get away from me! From us! You have a family! You have a daughter! Get out!

*He didn't argue. He walked out of the house.*

*She cried her self to sleep nearly every night. She saw no change in him. Within the next few weeks, Nancy filed for divorce and spent time in court fighting for full custody of Natalie against Nathan. She didn't hate him. She would always care about him. But she was afraid of him. She knew what she had to do to protect her daughter and herself. "Hometown Glory" by Adele played during this, as she took back her independence and safety from Nathan. He left court with his head hung low, devastated at his actions and where they got him.*